Iran’s moderate reformists make gains in parliamentary elections

Iran’s moderate-reformist bloc secured more than 25 more seats in parliamentary run-off elections, according to state TV.

The bloc, which supports President Hassan Rouhani and a nuclear deal the country reached with world powers last summer, will have to dominate the remaining unannounced seats in order to secure an outright majority in the 290-seat legislature.

State TV on Saturday morning announced winners for 55 of the remaining 68 seats being contested. Among them there are 27 moderate-reformist candidates, with the rest divided between hardliners and independent candidates.

Final results are expected later on Saturday.

In February, the moderate-reformist bloc dominated the vote in Tehran, securing all 30 seats there. But their support is less dominant outside the capital.

The bloc needs to win 40 seats in the run-offs to control the parliament, which will begin its work in late May.